Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-02-17
We CaAn1t Afford 1t.

The republican party, it cannot be
denied, has a grander record for the
past than any political organization
which has existed in our country since
its foundation; and with its mission
yet unfinished. its promises and pur-
poses for the future are broad enough
to invite the support Of every patriotic
citizen in our land.
What the party has accomplished in
the past has been due to the untiring,
concerted action of the hosts of faithful
men who have followed its banner;
and its achievements in the future must
depend upon the organized efforts of
those who honestly adhere to its prin-
ciples. Experience has taught that
little, if anything, has ever been gain
ed by any political party which sought
success at the expense of a sacrifice of
principle.
We know that it is regarded as
good politics for minority to encour-
age those who break from the regular
ranks of the majority, and in some
instances it has worked well for the
minorities to even go so far as to give
support to candidates who cut loose
from the majority and announce them
selves as independents.
We have in our mind a notable
instance in which the latter course was
pursued and in which every republican
who gave to it his adhesion feels
proud of his action, for in it he not
only supported brave patriotic man,
but brought confusion to bourbon
democracy, and to the republican
party an energetic, intellectual leader.
The reader will, without further being
said, recognize the man whom we re-
fer as Hon. Tyre York, of Wilkes.
We have no disposition to abuse in
dependents, or to discourage indepen-
dent action in politics, or do we wish
it understood that we deny to any man
the right to take such position in poll
tics as he sees proper, for we have, and
our republican principles teach us to
have, too great regard for the priyi-
leges guaranteed under our form of
government, to attempt to deny to
any citizen, however humble, the
sacred right of opinion. Nor would
we be understood as trying to shirk
our part of the responsibility which
the republican party has taken in
North Carolina with reference to
Independent democrats; for we have
not only supported the Independent
idea in some instances, but we have
gone so far as to advise this course.
However, it has been, we believe,
judicially determined in this State,
that our hind-sights are better than
our foresights and the bitter fruits
which have in some cases been horne
to the republican party in North Caro-
lima, at the hands of independent
democrats. convinces us that the
judicial mind which conceived the
principle referred to was in all respects
right.
We well remember the legislature
of 1872, when thirteen democrats
bolted the caucus nomination OF GOV.
Vance for L. S. Senator, and when
seventy-one republicans joined with
them aud elected A. S. Merrimon to
that position. We rejoiced in our
momentary triumph in the defeat of
Vance, but we lived afterwards to see
the man, who owed to us his elevation
to so high position, smite us politi-
cally in the most unfeeling manner.
The question at once suggested itself.
did we get competent return for going
outside Of the republican party TO
find man to vote for for Senator?
We have yet more recent case,
and one that is fresh in the minds of
the people. In the organization of
the House Of Representatives, now in
session in Raleigh, the solid republican
vote was cast for John r. Webster.
Independent democrat, for Speaker;
and with that vote and four independ-
ents added. he was elected, aud now
presides over the deliberations Of that
body. We thought the election Of
Mr.. Webster the best thing under the
circumstances. and true men who
stand for the republican party in the
legislature thought SO; and it was not
unnatural that all of us. as matters